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Wssa League Rules Oct 17 2016
Wssa League Rules Oct 17 2016
(ASA Rules Govern League Play Except for WSSA Rules Below)
Table of Contents
1.1 Commitment Line ................................................................................................................................................................. 3
1.2 Scoring Plate ........................................................................................................................................................................... 3
1.2 Scoring Line ............................................................................................................................................................................. 3
1.3 Double First Base ................................................................................................................................................................. 3
1.4 Strike Mat .................................................................................................................................................................................. 3
1.5 Infield Positions ..................................................................................................................................................................... 3
1.6 Illegal/Altered Bats ............................................................................................................................................................... 4
3.Equipment .......................................................................................................................... 4
3.1 Uniforms .................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
3.2 Shoes .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
3.3 Mask............................................................................................................................................................................................. 4
3.4 Softballs ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
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1.0 Definitions
1.1 Commitment Line
A commitment line shall be marked perpendicular to the foul line 20 feet from home
plate. Once a runner's foot touches on or past this line, the runner may not re-cross it in
the direction of third base, i.e., runner must continue toward the scoring line. Violation
will result in an automatic out. The ball is alive and runners may advance.
1.2 Scoring Plate
A scoring plate is a second home plate in foul territory on the third base side eight (8)
feet from the original home plate. The runner must touch the second home plate to
score a run.
A runner who has passed the commitment line and not reached the scoring plate shall
be declared out if:
A. A defensive player in possession of the ball touches home plate before the !
runner makes contact with the scoring plate.
B. The runner touches the original home plate or strike mat.
A runner who has passed the commitment line but not scoring plate shall not be
declared out if tagged by a defensive player.
1.2 Scoring Line
If there is no second home plate then a line shall extend from the corner of home plate
closest to third base into foul territory at a 90 degree angle to the third base foul line. A
foot down on or beyond the scoring line shall be the same as a foot down on home plate
for the purpose of scoring a run.
1.3 Double First Base
As a safety precaution, a double base at first base will be used. The inside base (white)
belongs to the defensive player and the outside base (orange) belongs to the the
runner. A RUNNER MUST run to the outside orange base when a play at first base is
attempted. A runner who touches the white base is subject to an appeal play by the
defensive team and shall be called out by the umpire if he sees the play. If the batter
gets a base hit, he can touch either base. Exception: If the 1st baseman is covering the
orange base, possibly due to a bad throw, the runner may touch either bag.
1.4 Strike Mat
A legally pitched ball hitting the strike mat (21 x 35 This is a new larger mat size) or
home plate will be called a strike.
1.5 Infield Positions
Infielders may position themselves wherever, in the dirt infield or on the outfield grass.
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3.Equipment
3.1 Uniforms
Matching shirts with a number (at least 6 inches) on the back should be worn. A
matching hat is recommended.
3.2 Shoes
Metal cleats are not permitted. Plastic or rubber cleats are recommended.
3.3 Mask
A mask is optional for the catcher and infielders, and optional for the pitcher only
provided he sign a non-responsibility waiver.
3.4 Softballs
First named home team as listed on the schedule must supply one new softball and one
quality used softball before each doubleheader. If specified softballs are not supplied,
the visiting team may loan the home team two specified balls, or, agree to play with
unspecified softballs.
position players at the start of, or anytime during the game, will result in a forfeit.
A team starting a game with nine (9) position players may add a position player after the
start of the game but that player must bat at the end of the batting order/line up..
If one team is short players, the team that is short may borrow a player from the
opposing team. The team with the most players must loan a player to the other team
and this player will be in the lineup, will play in the field and will bat. If the team is still
short one player, then the team with the most players will have someone catch for them,
but he does not bat.
4.3 Rosters
A roster with emergency contacts will be submitted to the Division President no later
than May 31st by the team Manager. Once a player is assigned to a roster that player
may not move to another team without being released by his assigned teams manager.
The manager will then notify the Division President who will arrange and approve the
trade for this player. If a trade cannot be successfully made, the player may be
temporarily assigned to a team at the discretion of the Division President.
No new players will be added to any team after August 30th but any new prospects may
take batting and infield practice with the teams before a game if approved by the
manager. Special exceptions to this rule are at the discretion of the Division President.
4.4 Lineup Cards
The official lineup card must be presented to the opposing manager or scorekeeper five
(5) minutes prior to each game. The card should list the last name of each player and
their position.
4.5 Roster Availability
Each team must have a copy of its roster available for review at every game. The
Coastal Division requires all players on the team roster that report to the field to play
must play a minimum of 3 innings per game or 6 innings per double header (in any
combination.)
4.6 Re-Entry Rule
A player may leave the game (substitute allowed) and then re-enter the game at a later
time. The substitute is replaced by the original player. They keep the same spot in the
batting order.
4.7 Extra Players
Use of one or more extra players in the batting order is optional, however, extra players
cannot be added to the original lineup once the game has begun. An extra player starts
the game as a hitter only, but may replace a position player in the field, but must keep
his original place in the batting order. Specific rules for the Coastal Division dont allow
first year players to be used as EP, they must play both offense and defense during the
games for the first year they are playing in the division
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A time limit of one hour and fifteen minutes will be used for each game. After the time
limit has been reached, the umpire will stop the game and notify both teams that they
will finish this inning and play one more additional inning. In this additional inning each
team can score an unlimited number of runs. Exception: During end of season
tournament there is no time limit.
5.4 Hot Weather Rule
During the season, when there is extreme hot weather, the two teams may elect to
shorten the games to 5 innings, or use the 1 and 1 count. Home team makes the
decision on the first game, while the visiting team makes the decision on the second
game The Atlantic Division will play regardless of temperature
Specific Rules for the Coastal Division
The managers agreed to using a temperature rating to define when and how the
Coastal division will handle hot weather rather than using the heat index.
Temperature
89 and below
90 94
degrees
95 - up
Action to be taken
The two managers may elect to shorten games
Mandatory use of the existing hot weather rule as outlined
in the rule document
All games stop no further play is allowed.
In addition, the following guidelines are to be followed for all future games of the
Coastal Division during the season. The stated goal is to have the games
completed by 11;00 AM. However, if during any game the temperature reaches
95 degrees the games will stop. If 5 innings have been played the team leading
will be declared the winner. When 5 inning games are used 4 innings will be the
end (Teams should follow the same procedures as a game called for rain in
deciding when it will end).
1. Games start on or before 8:30 AM until school starts
2. No pitching or infield warm up period after first inning.
3. All teams must have the on deck batter ready to enter the batters box
when the last batter is completed with his at-bat Failure to comply will
result with the pitcher sending the ball to the catcher and the umpire will
call a strike on the batter regardless of the pitch, this will continue until the
batter is called out on strikes or takes his place in the batters box.
4. Courtesy runner must be ready to enter the game when called. Any delay
will result in no courtesy allowed for the on base runner looking for relief
regardless of which base the request is made for.
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of this rule is apparent to the umpire, the runner may be called safe. In an extreme
Violation of the rule, an umpire may eject a player. If it looks like the runner and fielder
will collide, then the runner must make every effort to avoid colliding with the fielder.
Sliding or diving to 2nd or 3rd base or back to any base is optional in both Divisions. In
the event of contact at any base the runner may be called out at the discretion of the
umpire and the umpire may impose additional penalties
7.4 Over Running
A base runner is permitted to overrun 2nd and 3rd bases without being subject to a tag
out. However, a runner is subject to being tagged out, if in over running a base, he
obviously moves toward the next base. In this case, he is subject to being tagged out
while attempting to advance or returning to the base he over ran. Should a runner over
run a base and stop. He must return to that base and tag up before advancing.
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is adverse weather or field conditions. The home team will notify the League Vice
President as soon as possible, that is, the preceding day or by 7:15 AM the day of the
game of the poor field conditions. The Vice President will in turn notify the umpires. The
home team manager will notify the visiting team manager of the field conditions.
9.2 Umpire Options
Once a game is in progress it is up to the umpire to decide if a game can continue.
Once both teams arrive at the field, the umpire will decide if a game will be played, and
when and if a game can continue.
9.3 Reschedule Procedure
A games schedule date can be changed for any of the following reasons:
a) If, as a convenience, both managers agree to an alternate playing date, no obligation
has been incurred to the umpires and the reschedule is approved by the Division
President.
b) Weather
c) A traumatic situation (accident, death, etc.). If during the course of a game, if a player
gets seriously injured and cannot continue, the game will be considered suspended.
The game will be rescheduled. The suspended game will continue from where it was
left off and it will be played prior to the next teams scheduled doubleheader. If a
game ends in a tie for any reason, it will be played from where it was left off prior to
the next scheduled doubleheader between the two teams.
d) Two or more team members are participating in a recognized Wilmington Senior
Games activity or a WSSA Tournament or a recognized team function.
e) Both managers and Division President agree to the postponement.
9.4 Reschedule Date
All canceled/postponed games will be rescheduled (If time allows) by the Division
President All rescheduled games must be played on the assigned rain date, or lose on
a forfeit.
9.5 Forfeit Rule
All games must be played as scheduled. Any team that cannot field 9 players by the
start of the game will lose on a forfeit. The opposing team may lend the aforementioned
team that is short players, if there is enough for at least nine players on each team then
both teams may play a practice game, however, it is still a forfeit.
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